Authorities are rushing to prevent an oil spill in eastern Thailand from damaging fragile corals, after officials said the leak that began last week was drifting towards more coastal areas. Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Varawut Silpa-archa said it was crucial to try to prevent the main mass of oil from reaching the shore at Ao Prao, a small bay on Koh Samet, which is a popular resort island.
"If the oil reached inside this area it could impact the beach and cause heavy damage to the shallow water corals," Varawut said.
The oil began leaking from a pipeline owned by Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited (SPRC) late on Tuesday.
Before it was brought under control, an estimated 50,000 litres of oil escaped into the ocean 20 km from the coastline of eastern Thailand. - Reuters
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